Water toy

ABSTRACT

A buoyant water toy constructed from a moldable plastic that simulates the shape of a seahorse and can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to water toys. More particularly, the invention concerns a buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

A number of prior art water cycles of various designs have been suggested in the past. Typically, the prior art water cycles are of a boat-like construction in which the user is supported above the surface of the water and propels the device through the water using foot operated pedal and propeller mechanisms of various designs. As a general rule, the prior art water cycles are bulky and difficult to transport and store.

Those prior art devices which are designed for a rider to get wet and to be propelled through the water are often of a relatively complex construction and are expensive to produce.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a buoyant water toy constructed from a moldable plastic that simulates the shape of a seahorse and can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the body of the toy and peddling a bicycle-like foot-engaging pedal mechanism connected to the body of the toy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy of the aforementioned character that is strategically designed so that when the rider is seated on the supporting seat the water toy floats in a generally upright position with the feet and legs of the rider submerged in the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy of the character described that is light weight, easy to transport and use and easy to propel through the water.

Another object of the invention is to provide a compact, relatively slow-moving water toy that is suitable for use in a crowded environment. Another object of the invention is to provide a water toy as described in the preceding paragraphs that is durable in use and one that can be inexpensively produced in large quantities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally diagrammatic side view of one form of the water toy of the present invention showing a rider mounted on the water toy.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the water toy of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged view, partly in cross-section, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one form of the buoyant water toy of the invention is there shown and generally designated by the numeral 14. The water toy here simulates the shape of a seahorse and is uniquely designed so that it can be propelled through the water by a rider straddling the toy in the manner illustrated in FIG. 1.

In the present form of the invention, the water toy comprises a generally upright, moldable hollow plastic body 16 having an upper portion 18, a generally head-shaped portion 20, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion 22 and an intermediate portion 24.

Connected to and extending outwardly from the intermediate portion of body 16 is a molded plastic rider supporting seat 26 for supporting the rider. As indicated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, the rider supporting seat is vertically positioned to permit the desired submergence depth of a rider in the water.

Connected to the upper portion of body 16 are right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped hand grips, or handle bars 28 and 30 for gripping by the hands of the rider.

Connected to the lower portion of body 16 is propelling means of novel design for operation by the rider to propel the water toy through the water. This important propelling means here comprises a sleeve 32 that extends transversely of lower portion 22 of body 16 and defines a rotational axis 32 a. Connected to sleeve 32 is a crank 34. As best seen in FIG. 3, crank 34 here comprises a spindle 36 that is journaled in sleeve 32 for rotation about rotational axis 32 a. Attached to spindle 36 are right and left crank arms 38 and 40 respectively. Specially configured right and left foot-engaging paddles 42 and 44 are, in turn, interconnected with the right and left crank arms. As indicated in FIG. 4 of the drawings, each of the right and left foot-engaging paddles includes a foot-engaging base portion 46. Base portion 46 includes a bottom wall 45, an upstanding heel-engaging portion 48 and a water scoop portion 50. Water scoop portion 50 includes an upper wall 54, a bottom wall 56 and spaced-apart side wall 58.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will have no difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individual parts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet comprising: (a) a generally upright body having an upper portion, a lower portion and an intermediate portion; (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider; (c) hand grips connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively.
 2. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprises: (a) a foot-engaging base portion; and (b) an upstanding heel-engaging portion.
 3. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said hand grips comprise right and left transversely extending handle bars.
 4. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said generally upright body is formed from a moldable plastic.
 5. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said upper portion is generally head-shaped.
 6. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said lower portion is generally tail-shaped.
 7. The water toy as defined in claim 1 in which said body portion is hollow.
 8. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising: (a) a generally upright body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion; (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water; (c) right and left transversely extending handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion and an upstanding heel-engaging portion.
 9. The water toy as defined in claim 8 in which said body portion is substantially hollow.
 10. The water toy as defined in claim 8 in which said body portion is formed from a moldable plastic.
 11. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising: (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion; (b) a rider support connected to said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider support being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water; (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion and a water scoop portion.
 12. A buoyant water toy simulating the shape of a seahorse that can be propelled through the water by a rider having hands and feet, comprising: (a) a generally upright, moldable plastic body having an upper, generally head-shaped portion, a lower, generally tail-shaped portion, and an intermediate portion; (b) a molded plastic rider supporting seat connected to and extending outwardly from said intermediate portion of said body for supporting the rider, said rider supporting seat being vertically positioned for desired submergence depth of a rider in the water; (c) right and left transversely extending, generally cylindrically shaped handle bars connected to said upper portion of said body for gripping by the hands of the rider; and (d) propelling means connected to said lower portion of said body for propelling the water toy through the water, said propelling means comprising: (i) a sleeve extending transversely of said lower portion of said body, said sleeve defining a rotational axis; (ii) a crank connected to said sleeve, said crank comprising a spindle journaled in said sleeve for rotation about said rotational axis and right and left crank arms attached to said spindle; and (iii) right and left foot-engaging paddles connected to said right and left crank arms respectively, each of said right and left foot-engaging paddles comprising a foot-engaging base portion, an upstanding heel-engaging portion. 